Speed And Safety While Turning
An innocent biker (wearing full motorcycle riding gear of course) being hit by a malicious driver in an automobile (driving recklessly!) is often assumed when imagining motorcycle accidents. The reality is that a large portion of motorcycle traffic incidents are single party incidents. This implies that there is a high chance that the incident was caused by an error on the rider's part. Riding in a straight line on the dry highway is an easy task that is rarely blotched. Throw adverse conditions and a twisty road into the equation and it is no longer that simple.
While all licensed riders are (supposedly) trained in the art of cornering, the amount of riders that actually follow proper procedures seems to be in the minority. All too many are satisfied with chopping the throttle closed, using improper lean technique, and being harsh on the brakes.
The braking portion of corner entry is crucial to a successful and smooth corner exit. Brakes must be eased on gently; this goes double for our friends on sportbikes as their brakes are world renown for their stopping power. Brakes must be eased onto - needless to say, going from zero braking to ninety or hundred percent will cause you to ruin your new motorcycle gear faster than you will realize! A small amount of brake needs to be applied first and gently increased until the desired level of braking is achieved. The task is not over after that! One cannot just release the brake as soon as it is over - that would cause the bike to be unsettled if coming off hard braking. Letting off is the same as coming on - smoothness is the trick. Mind you, this entire process takes place within several seconds - practice makes perfect!
Turn in is the next step and should be a breeze provided that braking was done in the correct manner. Depending on the speed and the composition of the motorcycle, turning will be most efficient with a certain mix of counter steering and body lean. It is extremely helpful to put a slight bit of pressure on the rearsets in order to gain mobility while on your seat. While MotoGP levels of knee-scraping lean are almost never necessary - the basic technique is similar. Remember to be steady and keep on the throttle while leaned over!
After braking and turning in, the next step is to make a graceful corner exit. Slowly rolling on the throttle will result in a smooth weight transition from the front of the bike to the back and push through the corner. Even after straightening out the bike, one should be light on the pegs still - in anticipation for the next curve that the road provides.
Following these tips will result in beautiful and smooth looking turns - as well as being safe. Remember - no amount of motorcycle gear can save a person with terrible riding skills.
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